Joseph “Ziggy” Modeliste
Joseph “Zigaboo” Modeliste is a master drummer, rhythm innovator, percussionist, and New Orleans legend. The most highly acclaimed drummer ever to hail from the Crescent City, Ziggy’s creativity has been a wellspring of funk influence for three decades and inspired many Hip-Hop tracks. His innovative work as a member of the internationally acclaimed R&B group, The Meters, as well as his side work with artists like Keith Richards, Robert Palmer, and Dr. John, has garnered him an unparalleled level of respect among musicians and fans. Ziggy’s style is unique. He is a master of creating funk grooves and new concepts for funk drumming. Zigaboo’s music consistently demonstrates that “Modeliste is the most brilliant American Funk percussionist of the Contemporary Era!” The King of the Funky Drums, Percussion Maestro, and Godfather of Groove, Zigaboo Modeliste takes listeners to funk depths only he could possibly reach!
The original The Meters LP’s were all recorded with Ziggy at the drums and his work has been sampled many times over from artists such as Musiq, Queen Latifah, Run DMC, NWA, Ice Cube, Salt N’ Pepa, Cypress Hill, EPMD, Public Enemy, A Tribe Called Quest, Beastie Boys, Naughty by Nature, and Tweet just to name a few. Ziggy is a BMI award winner for the Young Gunz track, “Can’t Stop Won’t Stop” and his drum sound also provided the main loops for Amerie’s “1Thing,” which was nominated for two Grammy’s and was #1 on the R&B charts.
Ziggy has written over 200 songs individually and collectively with The Meters. His songwriting displays both his musical genius and original funk style. He is especially renowned for his syncopated rhythms and his second line funk styles. Zigaboo’s songs have been released on over 56 albums nationally and internationally. His tunes have also graced such movies as “Two Can Play That Game,” “Jackie Brown,” “Drum Line,” “8 Mile,” “Hancock,” a Nike Commercial for Footaction, and most recently, the TV show “Battleground Earth: Ludacris vs. Tommy Lee” on Planet Green.
Zigaboo’s latest release, “New Life,” came out in 2011 and is available for download from iTunes. All of his solo albums are available on CD at Zigaboo.com and CDBaby.com. Ziggy’s first solo CD, entitled “Zigaboo.com”, was released in 2000 and was reviewed as one of the most outstanding comeback records of the year. In 2004, the follow-up CD, “I’m on the Right Track,” featured special guests Dr. John and Bernie Worrell. “Funk Me Hard Live” is a collection of funk originals recorded in 1980 and released in 2009. All these iconic albums were released on Zigaboo’s own label, JZM Records.
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